Meraux Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy Related to Falsifying Records for Gun Purchase

U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that RICKEY COLEMAN, age 26, of Meraux, pled guilty yesterday to one count of conspiring to falsify ATF records related to the purchase of a firearm.

According to the factual basis filed in open court, COLEMAN enlisted the help of two other individuals to aid in the purchase of a firearm from Academy Sports in Elmwood on June 9, 2013.  COLEMAN was a previously convicted felon and prohibited from buying a firearm. The female who purchased the firearm falsified an ATF form regarding the true ownership of the firearm.

COLEMAN faces a sentence of up to five years in prison, followed by up to three years of supervised release, and up to $250,000 in fines.  U.S. District Judge Sarah S. Vance set sentencing for August 5, 2015.

U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) in investigating this matter along with the assistance of the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office.    Assistant United States Attorney Edward J. Rivera is in charge of the prosecution.

Rickey Coleman Factual Basis